Rousimar Palhares: “Everyone can change for the better.”

Powerful submission specialist Rousimar Palhares has had his share of controversial moments through out his career, the most recent of which came at UFC 134 when he felt he’d defeated Dan Miller and started to celebrate only to find out the fight wasn’t over. Though he avoided the near-knockout after the mistake to come away the victory the performance taught him something as his other transgressions in the Octagon have.

The 13-3 Palhares will have a chance to exhibit the lessons he’s learned in a little over a week when he faces Mike Massenzio at UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes, and, as revealed in a video from the UFC documenting his preparation, it’s an opportunity the 31-year old is extremely appreciative of.

“I can’t tell you how great it is and how grateful I am to be fighting here in Brazil,” Palhares began on the upcoming bout. “I’m to present the best show I can present. Do you know why? Because I want people to believe what I believe. If I have made it, and few have, it takes a lot of character. Everyone can change for the better. That’s what you’ll see on the 14th.”

Palhares also had another message for fans, letting them know that they should never give up in life because he’s an example of what hard work and self-belief can do.

“Go after your dreams, don’t let them die. Nobody has the right to take a dream anyone from anybody. Everyone has the right to dream. And to go after the dream, to fight for it. What comes after that is only happiness.”

Palhares-Massenzio will be part of the UFC 142 main card, an event headlined by 145-pound champion Jose Aldo putting his belt on the line against undefeated grappler Chad Mendes as well as Vitor Belfort vs. Anthony Johnson.

This guy is scary talented but always seems to make me cringe when he’s fighting in the octagon-something bizarre usually happens and i am never able to predict what it might be beforehand-Reminds me of Paulo Filho a bit

I am glad I’m not the only one who gets that feeling. Every since he cranked that ankle lock too much, I have felt that way.

Likewise, I hope he has it all together. Great chin and slick ground game, despite the unease I’ve expected amazing things from Roussimar, based on raw talent alone. I’m hoping that 5oz story about him seeing a sports psychologist was speaking truth, and that he has found some answers to his problems.